I have one of a very few Euro factory Spyders (S/N 14415). Among the differences from US cars it lacks A/C and seat belts. Having driven cars all my life with belts, it feels weird to be in an open, powerful sports car without seat belts. I would like to install seat belts, but will only do so if I can fit correct Daytona equipment. I assume that all Daytonas had mounting points in the same place. I would appreciate any info re availability of belts and also the correct mounting points.
410SA, I note that your car is on the registry at daytonaregistry.com The Originality page will show you the correct belts, which are different to a coupe. All countries in Europe required belts in 1971, you will find the mounting points under the transmission tunnel and behind the seats. I have 14397, originally a UK coupe, build no. 559. I'd be interested to know the build number of your car (when you take a door trim off its written on the back) as it must be very close, within 8 cars. btw Our cars have other safety issues, no roll-over protection and almost no side-impact protection - these are features that make you concentrate on defensive driving! I also run original spec XWX tyres, the cars grip limit is reached and transmitted at lower speeds so you're less likely to end up inverted. Despite this, I have no trouble keeping up with "modern" Ferraris on brisk open road runs.
I get a LOT of sidewall flex when I drive my new Coker XWX tires at high speed on sweeping turns. It is a bit unnerving.
I've been running the Michelin XWX 215/70 VR 15, Pirelli P4000 215/70 ZR 15, Pirelli P600 235/60 WR 15 and Yokohama AV60i 235/60 VR 15 tyres on my various Daytonas. For spirited driving, the Yokohama's are the best, but are no longer made. (I chased a M5 around a cloverleaf in a 69 Daytona Coupe with the Yokohamas. I never knew how well a Daytona can stick with good tyres.) The Pirelli P600 in the same size is next. Followed by the the original XWXs. The Pirelli P4000 tyres, in my opinion, are junk. I use that set as a "roller" set for cars being wheeled around the garage. I also used to use various Michelin's in the 255/60 VR 15, 235/60 VR 15 and 215/70 VR 15 sizes until they were no longer available as well. Steve
Following are pictures of the Klippan 562 seat belt for later USA Daytonas. Following will be pictures of Klippan belts out of an earlier, 1971 USA Daytona and a 1971 Euro Daytona. Steve Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Attached are pictures of correct Klippan belts out of a Dec 1971 build date USA Daytona Spyder. These are the non-interia (non-retractable) type belts used before 1972. You'll notice the difference in how the belts are mounted to the floor. Starting in 1972, the DOT required that lap belts be retractable and a shoulder belts must be retractable or adjustable (Ferrari's approach). These are shown in the previous picture. Steve Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
How high is the speed? I have Michelin-built XWX's and I can't feel anything untoward in the 70-80mph cornering I've done. Could it be that the sidewall construction or stiffness of the Cokers is different?
